Dreaming of New York

Next week I will be bouncing-off-the-walls excited as I will be boarding a plane and heading off to the US. It is my first trip to the States and I have no true idea what to expect. The city I'm most excited to visit is of course New York.

New York has been hiding in my dreams forever. It has felt like an angry itch that has been exponentially amplified. It was never should I visit but when and the time has finally arrived.

I find myself drawn to unique and non-touristy experiences usually when I am away. I am curious to see if I can find those though as New York looks to be quite the cliche. Here are some of the places and experiences that I am most looking forward to.


I am a huge art fan so of course, MoMA is high on my must-do list. I might not be able to visit the Rain Room Exhibition as the wait seems to make it not worth the effort but it is still MoMA and there will still be a mountain of work to see.

A walk through Barney's Shoe Department.

To find a secret in the city.

A Skate Party in Central Park. I have packed my roller skates!

A cocktail on a Manhattan Rooftop.

A stroll along the Highline.

I usually set myself a challenge for each new travel adventure and as yet I haven't found an appropriate one for New York. Maybe I will just commit myself to saying yes if a wonderful strange opportunity appears. Have you been? Is there something that a really should 'must do' whilst there?

Dreaming of Coachella

I adore music festivals. It's not just about the day itself but all of the tingly nervous excitement and preparation for it. I will daydream over the line-up and create mixtapes. I organise a plan of attack to the minute & then on the day let spontaneous insouciance take over. My girlfriend is incredibly organised (and me by default) as she laminates sweat and water proof line-up cards for us. I like to add my own quirk to each festival so I begin my day setting myself a quest. I once travelled to a festival called Sunset Sounds in Brisbane. I noticed at that particular festival there was a high incidence of Wayfarer wearing hipsters. I challenged myself to get as many photos possible of me wearing said hipsters wayfarers with the hipster in the shot. That was a fun festival, and challenge.

Over the years as my means have increased my desire to travel further and visit festivals in other countries has grown. So far some of my dream festivals include:

Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Fujirock in Japan.
South by Southwest in Texas.
Primavera in Barcelona.
Burning Man in Nevada.
Reading & Leeds, in Reading & Leeds.
Glastonbury in Somerset, UK.
Coachella in California.

Sadly of the list, I've visited only one so far. I almost tagged Lollapalooza into my latest travels but my desire to be a Roller Derby girl at Rollercon has taken over and I miss out this year. Coachella has just rolled around again this year and seeing photos of this years festival is making my heart ache.









Gah, next time! I'll have to deal with my FOMO by shutting my eyes blissing out to the below mix of Coachella 2013.

I'm just going to have to find a cool downtown bar in New York this July to get my international live music fix this time around. Any suggestions?



images from Billboard

Adelaide Fringe Festival Picks

Mad March is fast approaching. What does that mean? Adelaide is soon to come alive with both the Adelaide Festival and Adelaide Fringe to swing open their peacock and sequin encrusted doors. If you can't find something fun to do in the city soon there might actually be something seriously wrong with you. With hundreds of shows all vying for your attention I've done the hard leg work and sorted through the shows for my top picks for each festival.

First up, the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

I fell in love with the Adelaide Fringe when I was a young girl. I was 13 & I had convinced my mother to let me go to the Fringe Opening Night. She dropped my girlfriend & I at the top of Rundle Street with a wave and a well wishes for our evening. Honestly, I dont know what I said to her to let us go without her. Rundle Street had been transformed into a bedazzled infectious creature of a street party. I remember a Drag queen on a float drifted down from her lofty height to give me a magic wand. I was showered in joy, confetti & light. That was the most exhilarating night of my entire young self's life. Because of that night I have been forever in love with the shimmering & fabulous world of the Fringe.

Anyway enough daydreaming, the Fringe begins in a week!

If it feels like the Fringe has well and truly taken over Adelaide, then you are correct. The crowd favourite places to hang out are back. Any night of the week you can drop by the Garden of Unearthly Delights, Tuxedo Cat, Gluttony, The Rhino Room or The Big Slapple to see something guaranteed entertaining. But this year there is a newcomer space that I've got my eye on, The Depot.

The Depot is the newest fringe hub to be created. Perfectly nestled behind China Town in the CBD it is set to be a fun date night out (Ahem, Valentines Day anyone?) destination.



My highlight show to see at the Depot is Colourpalooza. There is definitely something in the water with colour events taking off all around the country. And it seems that Colour + Music is a winning formula with the fun-at-heart crowd. Straight after the Fringe Opening Parade its set to go off!

I always set aside time for the Circus every Fringe. There's something about beautiful strong bodies making contortions & feats of strength look effortless that I admire. It wows me everytime. This year I've bookmarked seeing Freefall at the Adelaide Town Hall.

Another one of my favourites I'll be heading down to the Wheaty to check out The Hushes for some laid back beautiful tunes.

If all else fails & you are finding Fringe time overwhelming. I recommend braving the Fringe Bus. Jump on for an adventure you wont forget. The Fringe is about flirting with your comfort zone. Some of my best nights out during Fringe I just wandered the streets. Be brave, find a friend and wander down Adelaide's alley ways. You never know what might jump out and bite you.

Next week I'll update you on my favourite picks for the Adelaide Festival! Stay tuned.